Because her brother Tar-Aldarion had only one child — a daughter — he changed the law of succession so that his child could become a Ruling Queen. According to some readings of Númenor's complex laws of inheritance, if the law had not changed, Ailinel's son Soronto would have become Tar-Aldarion's heir. If history had been different, then, Ailinel would have been the foremother of the succeeding Kings of Númenor (though sources differ on the technicalities of this point).

Etymology

Ailinel's name appears to incorporate the Quenya word for 'lake', ailin, and the feminine suffix -el.